Canadian band eludes the pitfalls of fame

Hard rock and hard knocks sometimes go hand in hand. It's just the nature of the rock 'n' roll monster. But for those bands that are able to climb out of the belly of the beast, better days lie ahead.

Marijke Rowland

Hard rock and hard knocks sometimes go hand in hand. It's just the nature of the rock 'n' roll monster. But for those bands that are able to climb out of the belly of the beast, better days lie ahead.

The Canadian hard-rock outfit Three Days Grace came through its own trial by fire and came out stronger.

The band, formed by high school friends in 1992, hit the big time with its self-titled debut album in 2003. The album landed on Billboard album charts in the United States and Canada. Its singles "I Hate (Everything About You)" and "Just Like You" were modern-rock hits.

Then came two years of nonstop touring, during which the group was seduced both by the road and the trappings of fame.

"We got carried away on the road as far as partying and stuff goes," Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson said in a phone interview. "We had to reel that in before we could make (the next) record. We are definitely in a different place than we were."

In fact, lead singer Adam Gontier had to enter a rehab clinic to deal with his struggles with alcohol and drugs. Instead of despairing, Gontier and the band turned the turmoil into music.

The band's 2006 follow-up, "One-X," is filled with raw emotions in songs like "Animal I Have Become" and "Pain."

Sanderson spoke recently from the road as the band co-headlines a tour with Breaking Benjamin and Puddle of Mudd.

Q: How has your tour with Breaking Benjamin and Puddle of Mudd been going so far?

A: I think it's a great bill. As a band, we strive to put together the best live show possible. The reason why we are in this business is to get up on stage and play live every night. Putting a package like this together is the biggest scale (touring) we've done. So we're pleasantly surprised to be able to headline arenas. It's an exciting time for us.

Q: You were 14 when you joined the band (then called Groundswell). Did you ever imagine that 15 years later, you'd be where you are?

A: We formed the band in the first week of grade nine and it's been a long road. We're best friends, Adam and Brad (Walst, the bassist) and I grew up together. (Guitarist Barry Stock joined the band in 2002). We definitely knew that this is what we wanted to do for a living and we all had the same common goal to take this band as far as it could possibly go. We just loved playing so much, even when playing in hay wagons, that same feeling, that rush you can't get, was always there.

Q: As a teen growing up in rural Canada, who were your musical influences?

A: Classic rock: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath. We had a lot of respect for albums that were great from start to finish. I think, unfortunately, now the music industry is looking for the hit single and the rest is filler. But those were single pieces of art. That's what we want to make.

Q: Has being longtime friends helped the band stick together and handle all the ups and downs?

A: Being friends helps. You see a lot of different dynamics with bands. If you react to every situation and don't pick your battles, there will be problems. You need to give each other room to breathe to sustain a relationship. When someone is going off, you've got to give them the space they need, and a lot of bands don't understand that. We all have the same common goal and we are motivated by the same things, so it's easier to see eye to eye.

Q: The struggles lead singer Gontier faced with alcohol and drugs are well-chronicled. How was the band able to pull through together?

A: I think like any relationship, when someone goes through a tough time, you have to roll with the punches and set up a support system. Because we all share the common goal of taking this band as far as we can, it's a no-brainer that we were all in it together. At the same time, we were writing and recording the record, so the music reflects that.